Hamperley Hideaways

Between the wild Welsh mountains and flat middle England are the Shropshire Hills. And in the shadow of one of the most famous heather-clad ridges, The Long Mynd, is a camping and glamping site that’s as ‘in between’ as the location. Hamperley Hideaways bridges the gap between wild camping and traditional campsites. It’s a place where neighbouring tents are so far away that you wouldn’t know they existed and where glamping is as rustic as it gets. It’s wild-ish.

Walkers, hikers and teams of teens on DofE expeditions have been coming to these hills for generations so there’s no shortage of campsites. What sets this one apart is the space. Based on a 100-acre sheep farm, Hamperley Hideaways are individual pitches and glamping units tucked into the corners of fields rather than bundled in one together. It’s the brainchild of Ryan, whose family have farmed here since the fifties. He (or his dad, farmer Chris) won’t be too far away if you need anything but generally you’re left to your own devices.

Before you reach the campsite car park, you pass the farm where you collect wood and water. A little further is where you’ll leave your car, then it’s a short walk to your pitch – the closest are near enough to be family friendly, the furthest about ten minutes away. You’ll find the -ish of this wildish campsite when you get to your pitch. It’s a picnic bench, a ready-dug and stone-circled fire pit and, joy-of-joys for many campers, your own private composting loo. The same facilities are given at the gloriously rustic cabin and Genghis the converted lorry. Built with reclaimed materials, warmed by a log burner and lit only by lanterns and candles, both look as though they might have been here for decades. In actual fact they are just couple of years old, which means, despite appearances, they are properly insulated and cosy.

You can hike or bike straight out on to The Long Mynd from here, avoiding day-tripping walkers who head for the National Trust car park, six miles up the road. If the weather’s warm, though, you might find yourself tempted; as there’s a wild swimming hot spot nearby. It’s just beyond Church Stretton, a lovely market town, that’s got good pubs and shops for supplies. Further afield, there are more towns to explore; historic Ludlow and Shrewsbury aren’t far. But we suspect most campers who come here will want to stay wild. Or, at the very least, wild-ish.